Each year, the QSR 50 provides a deep dive looking at how the top quick-service brands stack up. 

One of the key measurements is average-unit volume (AUV), which illustrates how much chains are earning per store measured on a mature base. 

The list includes 15 brands just outside the top 50. So this is a compilation of the top 45 AUVs among the 65 highest-grossing quick-service brands in America in terms of U.S. systemwide sales.

CHECK OUT 2020’s RESULTS

Note: The figures are by U.S. restaurants as of 2020 year end.

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1. Portillo’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $6,923

Unit count: 66

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 66

Total change in units from 2019: 2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $450

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

2. Chick-fil-A

Average sales per unit (thousands): $5,013

Unit count: 2,607

Franchised stores: 2,589

Company stores: 18

Total change in units from 2019: 107

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $12,800

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

3. Raising Cane’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,850

Unit count: 509

Franchised stores: 92

Company stores: 417

Total change in units from 2019: 52

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,722

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

4. Whataburger

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,197

Unit count: 844

Franchised stores: 114

Company stores: 730

Total change in units from 2019: 14

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,698

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

5. In-N-Out Burger

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,060

Unit count: 365

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 365

Total change in units from 2019: 11

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,100

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

6. Shake Shack

Average sales per unit (thousands): $3,020

Unit count: 205

Franchised stores: 22

Company stores: 183

Total change in units from 2019: 20

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $550

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

7. McDonald’s 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,944

Unit count: 13,682

Franchised stores: 13,025

Company stores: 657

Total change in units from 2019: -164

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $40,518

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

8. Culver’s 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,624

Unit count: 782

Franchised stores: 776

Company stores: 6

Total change in units from 2019: 50

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,986

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

9. Five Guys 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,575

Unit count: 1,382

Franchised stores: 938

Company stores: 444

Total change in units from 2019: 14

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,711

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

10. Panera Bread

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,500

Unit count: 2,175

Franchised stores: 1,196

Company stores: 979

Total change in units from 2019: -50

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,500

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

11. Krispy Kreme 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,259

Unit count: 369

Franchised stores: 83

Company stores: 276

Total change in units from 2019: 4

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $830

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

12. Zaxby’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,200

Unit count: 905

Franchised stores: 760

Company stores: 145

Total change in units from 2019: 10

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,000

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

13. Chipotle

Average sales per unit (thousands): $2,200

Unit count: 2,750

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 2,750

Total change in units from 2019: 150

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,985

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

14. Popeyes 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,920

Unit count: 2,634

Franchised stores: 2,593

Company stores: 41

Total change in units from 2019: 135

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,587

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

15. Panda Express 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,915

Unit count: 2,263

Franchised stores: 150

Company stores: 2,113

Total change in units from 2019: 79

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,817

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

16. Bojangles

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,861

Unit count: 758

Franchised stores: 432

Company stores: 326

Total change in units from 2019: 12

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,374

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

17. El Pollo Loco 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,837

Unit count: 482

Franchised stores: 283

Company stores: 199

Total change in units from 2019: 0

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $880

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

18. Jason’s Deli  

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,818

Unit count: 253

Franchised stores: 87

Company stores: 166

Total change in units from 2019: -30

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $500

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

19. Habit Burger Grill  

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,745

Unit count: 278

Franchised stores: 263

Company stores: 15

Total change in units from 2019: 7

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $480

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

20. Wendy’s 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,725

Unit count: 5,881

Franchised stores: 5,520

Company stores: 361

Total change in units from 2019: 29

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $10,231

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

21. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,681

Unit count: 388

Franchised stores: 356

Company stores: 32

Total change in units from 2019: 20

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $643

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

22. Jack in the Box

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,660

Unit count: 2,241

Franchised stores: 2,097

Company stores: 144

Total change in units from 2019: -2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,673

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

23. Taco Bell

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,648

Unit count: 6,799

Franchised stores: 6,324

Company stores: 475

Total change in units from 2019: 33

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $11,000

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

24. Sonic Drive-In

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,611

Unit count: 3,526

Franchised stores: 3,255

Company stores: 271

Total change in units from 2019: 0

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $5,680

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

25. Steak ‘N Shake

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,563

Unit count: 556

Franchised stores: 276

Company stores: 280

Total change in units from 2019: -54

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $800

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

26. White Castle 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,527

Unit count: 365

Franchised stores: 0

Company stores: 365

Total change in units from 2019: -10

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $565

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

27. Del Taco 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,516

Unit count: 596

Franchised stores: 301

Company stores: 295

Total change in units from 2019: 0

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $857

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

28. Wingstop 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,489

Unit count: 1,538

Franchised stores: 1,506

Company stores: 32

Total change in units from 2019: 153

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,000

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

29. McAlister’s Deli 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,418

Unit count: 481

Franchised stores: 449

Company stores: 32

Total change in units from 2019: 12

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $625

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

30. Burger King

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,414

Unit count: 7,081

Franchised stores: 7,029

Company stores: 52

Total change in units from 2019: -265

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $9,657

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

31. Carl’s Jr. 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,400

Unit count: 1,079

Franchised stores: 1,031

Company stores: 48

Total change in units from 2019: -21

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $1,500

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

32. Domino’s 

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,328

Unit count: 6,355

Franchised stores: 5,992

Company stores: 363

Total change in units from 2019: 229

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $8,287

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

33. KFC

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,305

Unit count: 3,943

Franchised stores: 3,896

Company stores: 47

Total change in units from 2019: -122

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,700

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

34. Arby’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,273

Unit count: 3,369

Franchised stores: 2,176

Company stores: 1,193

Total change in units from 2019: 10

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $4,215

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

35. Starbucks

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,235

Unit count: 15,328

Franchised stores: 6,387

Company stores: 8,941

Total change in units from 2019: 287

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $18,750

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

36. Boston Market

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,133

Unit count: 330

Franchised stores: 16

Company stores: 314

Total change in units from 2019: -46

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $400

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

37. Tim Hortons

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,109

Unit count: 633

Franchised stores: 633

Company stores: 0

Total change in units from 2019: -23

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $702

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

38. Hardee’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,100

Unit count: 1,766

Franchised stores: 1,563

Company stores: 203

Total change in units from 2019: -64

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $2,000

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

39. Noodles & Company

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,100

Unit count: 454

Franchised stores: 76

Company stores: 378

Total change in units from 2019: -3

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $465

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

40. Qdoba

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,086

Unit count: 750

Franchised stores: 406

Company stores: 344

Total change in units from 2019: 20

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $787

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

41. Taco John’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,077

Unit count: 389

Franchised stores: 378

Company stores: 11

Total change in units from 2019: 2

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $380

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

42. Checkers and Rally’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,030

Unit count: 858

Franchised stores: 594

Company stores: 264

Total change in units from 2019: -17

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $854

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

43. Round Table Pizza

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,030

Unit count: 414

Franchised stores: 376

Company stores: 38

Total change in units from 2019: -13

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $435

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

44. Captain D’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,024

Unit count: 531

Franchised stores: 246

Company stores: 285

Total change in units from 2019: -4

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $544

Read more in the QSR 50 here.

45. Papa John’s

Average sales per unit (thousands): $1,008

Unit count: 3,134

Franchised stores: 2,546

Company stores: 588

Total change in units from 2019: -8

U.S. systemwide sales (millions): $3,198

Read more in the QSR 50 here.